For those who battle with mental health, it can often be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But when that light was finally visible for Guildford woman Joy Wright, she made the courageous decision to set up a scheme to help young people whose resilience has faded.

The 34-year-old started Emerge, in partnership with the Royal Surrey County Hospital, to provide ongoing emotional support to people aged 14 to 21 who end up in A&E because they have self-harmed or have attempted suicide.

Joy was prompted to start the project after her own battle with mental health, which in her darkest moments left her feeling she couldn’t cope with life.

“I went to Bishop Reindorp School [now Christ’s College] and I was really unlucky,” she said.

“I was a very shy and quiet teenager and I got bullied by different people throughout secondary school and college.

“I found myself getting into a downward spiral. I felt really down and anxious.

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One teenager, who wishes to remain anonymous, was helped by Joy when she was admitted to hospital with mental health issues before the initiative was set up.

“When I was in hospital, I didn’t understand what the mental health professionals’ were trying to achieve,” the 18-year-old said. “I knew they were busy and I spent a lot of time waiting around for things to happen.

“Joy helped me understand what I needed to do to get better and acted as a go-between for me with social services and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).

“Having someone who understood the mental health system and who could easily relate to me, helped me through some of the darkest times of my life.

“I think what Joy is doing now is a very needed and useful service and I know it is going to help out many young people who are in similar situations I was.”

A spokesman for Royal Surrey County Hospital said it was hoped that a six-month pilot of the Emerge scheme would improve outcomes for vulnerable patients.

A spokesman said: “Royal Surrey County Hospital is committed to providing a caring and appropriate response to children and young people who have been or are at risk of self-harm and suicide.

“Their volunteers are available to support teenagers and young adults, who arrive in hospital either extremely stressed and or in crisis.

“They are able to use their expertise to help the patient engage with medical staff and ensure that they are able to express themselves.”